A note on a possible allergic factor in altitude sickness

Abstract

Abstract From the records of a random sample from private practice of 500 individuals in Mexico City, fifteen years of age and under, about 50 per cent were found to be frankly allergic. Of the five hundred, 167 had either severe hives, urticarial rashes or eczema, and one hundred had gastrointestinal symptoms directly related to the ingestion of certain foods. Evidence indicates that these symptoms are either milder or do not occur at all in these same individuals at lower altitudes. In those coming to Mexico City, a period of about three weeks is usually required in the older children for the effect to accumulate and become manifest in symptoms. It is suggested that anoxia occurring at this altitude may result in a greater permeability of the gastrointestinal tract to offending substances. In view of the similarity in many of the cases to conditions found in mountain sickness, the possibility is suggested that similar factors may be contributing causes in such conditions, and may be of interest in aviation medicine.